Monday, March 12, 2012

Review: Starters

Title: Starters
Author: Lissa Price

Book Summary:

“In the future, teens rent their bodies to seniors who want to be young again. One girl discovers her renter plans to do more than party--her body will commit murder, if her mind can't stop it. Sixteen-year-old Callie lost her parents when the genocide spore wiped out everyone except those who were vaccinated first--the very young and very old. With no grandparents to claim Callie and her little brother, they go on the run, living as squatters, and fighting off unclaimed renegades who would kill for a cookie. Hope comes via Prime Destinations, run by a mysterious figure known only as The Old Man. He hires teens to rent their bodies to seniors, known as enders, who get to be young again. Callie's neurochip malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her rich renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, even dating Blake, the grandson of a senator. It's a fairy-tale new life . . . until she uncovers the Body Bank's horrible plan. . . .”

           If I lived in a world where people rented out their bodies for older people to use like a car, I would have no part of it.  If, however, I had a sick younger brother that I had promised my parents I would protect, I might very well give in.  Callie is in this exact situation.  Left alone with her seven-year-old brother Tyler and close friend Michael, Callie takes on the responsibility for her sick sibling.  When their bad situation turns worse and her brother’s health starts to deteriorate further, Callie makes the horrific decision… she will rent her body for the money.  Now some elder can be young again for a week, and she can pay for medicine for her brother. Unless, of course, something goes wrong…

           This book captives me from the first page.  Almost instantly, I am rooting for Callie and feel a connection to her.  I view situations through her eyes: her relationship with her brother, her parents’ death, even her struggle to hold onto who she is as a person.  Callie is tough, but loveable and truly has the heart of a fighter.   Starters has more twists and turns than a haunted house -- I’m walking along and glimpse the exit door, so I let my guard down… then BAM out jumps a clown.  I love when a book catches me unawares; so this one is a definite winner!

           While reading this book, at no point in time do I feel bored or rushed.  Price knows exactly the right speed and keeps it steady throughout Starters.  As I first pick up Starters and read the blurb on the back, I admit I am skeptical. My first thought is: “ Wow, Prime Destinations is going to use her to be in some secret army while she’s blacked out… what’s new with this plotline?”  Let me toss out a little hint-- that’s not what happens.  I can’t even describe how hooked I am on this book.  I interrupted my reading ONLY to go to the Tempest book signing at my library (and even then I met my friend there 10 minutes late.)

           For those book lovers that are reading this review and thinking, “ It sounds interesting, but I normally go for something with a little more romance,” let me say that this book has a delicious romantic undertone that is surprising and sweet!  Starters ends on a DEFINITE cliffhanger (which is frustrating, but really makes me anticipate book two.)   I highly recommend reading Starters!  Really, there is NO good reason not to run out and order a copy today.

The Cover:

         Okay, when I first see this cover, the two different eye colors strike me as a little odd, but then I begin to understand.   I think it symbolizes both Callie and the person who is “using” her body.  I really love this cover! It’s hard to tell in the picture, but it is very shiny and the title lettering is raised up!  The girl’s hair and skin blend together causing her bright blue eye to pop out.  I love this cover and cannot wait to see the cover of book two!

I give Starters 5 out of 5 hearts: I LOVED IT!

For more on Lissa Price go here: http://www.lissaprice.com/

To buy Starters go here:

44 comments:

  1. I've been hearing awesome things about this book. :) Looks like I might have to read it.!

    Bri @ Kindling the Fire
    P.S. You're a dork :D

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    1. Yes you have to read it!!
      P.S. Takes one to know one ;)

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  2. AWESOME review! Best one I've seen for Starters yet! Haha, that was a great opening paragraph, and I loved your haunted house analogy! Very tempting about that romantic "undertone"! I was admiring that cover in the bookstore the other day. Looks like I should check this one out! Thanks for the review! <3

    Vivian @ Vivaciously, Vivian

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    1. I am so glad you like the review! I would definitely recommend Starters and would love for you to read it so I can hear your thoughts on it! <3

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  3. Nice review!!

    I started reading this book a day or two ago - um, on my Nook by my bed when I can't sleep, which is a weird way to progress thru a fast-paced book, but there you go!!

    The beginning really tugged at my heart and I've only just gotten to where she's aware and wondering what's going on, which is really exciting.

    I like this cover. It's startling. I obviously have an e-version, so I appreciate your description of the cover!! :-)

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    1. Yeah when I read before bed I end up falling asleep and unable to process... but it helps me sleep. LOL!!

      I admit the beginning is a tear-jerker. I feel really bad for Callie and her brother and I'm so mad at the elders!! GAH!

      The cover is amazing it is definitely worth buying for the cover ;)

      I hope you enjoy Starters as much as I did!! =)

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  4. This sounds better and better with each review I read. I can't wait to get a hold of this one!

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    1. Thanks Heather! =) I can't wait to here your thoughts *when* you get a hold of it. (;

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  5. I keep hearing good things about this book, I may have to try to get past the whole ick factor of someone actually paying to "rent" your body for a week (suppresses a shudder) and give it a try! Really enjoyed your review Lauren:)

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    1. Yeah that part isn't too creepy! I think you should definitely give it a try :) Glad you like the review Heather!! =D

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  6. Great review! This sounds pretty awesome

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    1. I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for commenting =)

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  7. This is a great review! The plot seems so fascinating! I look forward to reading it!!

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    1. Thanks so much! I would love to hear your thoughts on it! =)

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  8. This sounds kinda creepy... but reeeeally good at the same time. I'll have to add it to my list! :D

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  9. I really liked Starters too! Romantic undertone is a great way to put it, because it is there throughout, but there's more important things that Callie has to focus on most of the time. Also, what an ending! I'm now dying for Enders to come out. Luckily, we only have to wait until December (I think!)

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    1. Oh I KNOW I cannot wait for Enders to be released!!

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  10. I haven't yet read Starters, I really want to read this book,, I love bookcover and your review, it's great...thank's

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    1. THanks for the kind words! :) I hope you like the book!

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  11. Starters sounds amazing. I love the plot- it is unique and interesting. I really enjoyed your review and the fact that you gave it 5 hearts says a lot! I think it is odd that I didn't notice the two different colored eyes until you pointed it out. I only noticed the blue eye! I would love to read this book! Thanks for sharing!

    ~Jess
    http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/

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  12. Starters WAS amazing :) I'm glad you liked the review. I hope you get a chance to read it, I would love to hear your thoughts! =D

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  13. I read alot of reviews about this book. It make me really wanted to get my hands on it. I wish i can read it. Thanks for the review btw. I love the cover of the book too. It kinda creepy but in interesting way.

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    1. I'm glad your interested in the book, it was definitely awesome! I agree with you the cover is definitely got a bit of a creepy vibe to it :)

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  14. I have seen this book on a lot of blogs and it sounds amazing. The renting out your body plot sounds really unique to me.

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  15. Just finished it and it was awesome. I read it cover to cover in 1 day

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    1. I understand completely... it's just. that. good!

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  16. I have read nothing but good things about this book. Thanks for this review! I am looking forwarding to reading it even more.

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  17. I frigging loved Starters too! I hated and loved the ending. I thought it was awesome, but yeah I hate cliffhangers. I cannot wait for the second book.

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    1. Oh I know what you mean!! Book two needed to be hear yesterday ;)

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  18. still on the fence though
    nice review

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  19. Hey, awesome review! Ok, to be honest, I backed away at 'her body will commit murder' because I have been wanting to read this book SO badly, and don't want to know anything ahead of time. Gosh, it sounds so cool though, and I so cant wait! I'll return, just you wait, lol.

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    1. Understandable :) Can't wait to see what you think!!

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  20. This is definitely on my TBR list...always looking for a book that has a different premise than what we already have out there in MASS quanities!! Would love to read it!!! Thanks for the giveaway!!!

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  21. "Starters has more twists and turns than a haunted house -- I’m walking along and glimpse the exit door, so I let my guard down… then BAM out jumps a clown."

    Exactly! It was one of my favorite aspects about the book and kept me flipping to the next page. The online image does not do justice to the shiny metallic greatness of this cover.

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  22. I want to read this book so badly!!! Thank you for reminding me why it is on my wishlist to begin with. I will most likely wait until the release of the second book before I read this one as I am not real patient and I cant stand a cliffhanger.

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  23. 5 stars. Wow! I've heard some conflicting things about this one everywhere to I'm confused as to try it or not. But I think I will. I love that cover!

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  24. +JMJ+

    I didn't even notice the two different eye colours, so thanks for pointing them out! They really do make sense for the cover, don't they?

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  25. Wow! That's a really strong review. And 5 stars, no less. I've seen the cover and it is gorgeous. I didn't even realize there's going to be a book two. Reading books with cliffhangers are so addictive. Thanks for sharing. I'm not sure myself, if I'd want to "rent" out my body to someone else. What could they possibly do with it?

    Can't wait to add this one to my collection and to read it.

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  27. Hmmm. This is a book I've been hearing a lot about. Sounds like it's time for me to get my hands on it. Renting one's body is an intriguing if terrifying idea.

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